Glicol

Computer music language with both parser and audio engine written in Rust. Live code music in your browser at glicol.org – zero install, WASM-powered.

How it sounds

Graph-oriented: nodes connect with >>, reference with ~name.

// AM synthesis
o: sin 440 >> mul ~amp
~amp: sin 1.0 >> mul 0.3 >> add 0.5

// Sequencer with random notes
o: speed 2.0 >> seq 60 _~a _ 48__67 >> sp \blip
~a: choose 60 60 0 0 72 72

// Raw DSP in meta blocks
o: meta `
    output.pad(128, 0.0);
    for i in 0..128 {
        output[i] = sin(2*PI()*phase);
        phase += 440.0 / sr;
    };
    while phase > 1.0 { phase -= 1.0 };
    output
`

Architecture

• glicol-synth – audio graph engine (dasp_graph + const generics)
• glicol-parser – pest.rs grammar
• glicol-wasm – WebAssembly build for browsers
• glicol-ext – macro-based node extensions (reverbs, etc.)

Runs on: browsers (AudioWorklet + SharedArrayBuffer), VST plugins, Bela board (embedded), desktop.

Design

“Low entry fee, high ceiling.” Someone with zero coding/music knowledge can start with sin 440. An experienced coder can write sample-accurate DSP in meta blocks.

Graph updates use LCS (Longest Common Subsequence) – change one node, only that part re-renders. No audio glitches during live edits.

Relation to KubizBeat

Not a direct fit for kubyz instrument emulation (Glicol is a general live coding language, not an instrument sampler). But the Rust + WASM audio engine architecture is relevant:

• glicol-synth as a reference for building real-time audio graphs in Rust
• WASM audio pattern: AudioWorklet + SharedArrayBuffer for browser-based instruments
• Graph-oriented synthesis could model kubyz overtone series

Links

• glicol.org – live playground
• GitHub – 2.9k stars, MIT
• NPM – npm package for web projects